Leopard Optics

[Backyardsniper]

I am pretty certain I am switching my 2026 hunt from elephant to leopard. With that being said I am curious if there is a particular scope that is popular with the cat hunters. I know there are a few of you all that do a lot of leopard hunting. I am assuming large objective, medium powered, best glass you can afford is the general consensus. I was just curious to know if there was a particular one that I should be on the look out for?

 

[dchum]

I have never hunted cats,

But ya, a nice big objective and good simple zoom to keep things bright.

I would almost definitely get an illuminated reticle if you were getting a scope for a leopard hunt.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Yeah. I bet illuminated reticle is definitely a must

 

[IvW]

Illuminating reticle......

This is one place where I feel a second scope makes sense.....

Lets say someone decides to hunt Africa.....mixed bag including leopard......personally I would have second scope for the leopard part....qd mounts set to poa at the exact distance for the blind....before you go to the blind you mount this scope and take one shot to check zero and bobs your uncle.....the other scope is for all the rest set to preferance instead of tryinf to do it all with one scope and keep adjusting between day hunting and leopard blind h7nting.....hunting leopard with hounds is different. For blind hunting I would use and have used a dedicated scope....

 

[dchum]

^^^^ Of course you can always over think these things too….

 

[IvW]

You may decide to go just with a 375 H&H. Your general PG/buff load may be a 300gr Swift....great bullet but not the best for leopard....you want to use a 260gr Accubond for the leopard so you sight that in for the exact distance to bait with the leopard scope...and use the other with the Swift load....
I have never had re zero issues on my rifles with quality qd mounts

 

[Backyardsniper]

I'd say there is about a 95% chance I'll shoot a 338 lapua. Probbaly with a 300 grain accubonds or shoot my 416 rigby with a soft 350 grain bullet. I have a bunch of speer 350 grain that should work well if I used it. Most likely it will be a 338 bullet of some flavor or another unless the 375 or bigger rule applies to leopards too.

 

[IvW]

I would not recommend a 338 LM.....
Where are you hunting.....

 

[Backyardsniper]

Schmidt Bender 2.5-10x56mm Klassik LM L3 Riflescope 642-811-462-03-03A02

FREE SHIPPING on Schmidt Bender 2.5-10x56mm Klassik LM L3 Riflescope 642-811-462-03-03A02

www.eurooptic.com

Looking hard at this one

 

[Backyardsniper]

I would not recommend a 338 LM.....
Where are you hunting.....

Zimbabwe
What's wrong with the lapua for that application?

 

[IvW]

It is a sniper caliber delivering from a 30+ inch barrel....not for 30 to 50 meter shots....rather use a 338WM then much better option...
I own one with a 30 1/2 inch barrel on a weatherby mark v action from the custom shop and it aint a leopard gun. ..

 

[Backyardsniper]

Mine is a switch lug. While I do have a long barrel for it. I also have a 21" barrel that I run with no muzzle brake and I load rounds doan around 2575fps with the 300 grain. With the short barrel it waters it down to about 338 win mag level

 

[Chad Arnette]

Red dot/illuminated for sure.

 

[IvW]

Mine is a switch lug. While I do have a long barrel for it. I also have a 21" barrel that I run with no muzzle brake and I load rounds doan around 2575fps with the 300 grain. With the short barrel it waters it down to about 338 win mag level

Then you are better off with a 260 accubond 375 at 2750 plus or even the 416 350gr

 

[dchum]

Schmidt Bender 2.5-10x56mm Klassik LM L3 Riflescope 642-811-462-03-03A02

FREE SHIPPING on Schmidt Bender 2.5-10x56mm Klassik LM L3 Riflescope 642-811-462-03-03A02

www.eurooptic.com

Looking hard at this one

Even a x50 objective would do. Great choice.

Mine is a switch lug. While I do have a long barrel for it. I also have a 21" barrel that I run with no muzzle brake and I load rounds doan around 2575fps with the 300 grain. With the short barrel it waters it down to about 338 win mag level

Just know lapua ammo will be non existent if it doesn’t make it! But sounds like you have a good back up in the .416 anyhow!

 

[Skshyk]

Then you are better off with a 260 accubond 375 at 2750 plus or even the 416 350gr

Exact pullet I used. Illuminated will be a major help.

 

[JHT]

I like where your head is. In my opinion, Swarovski’s Z6i 1.7-10x42 with the 4A reticle is the perfect scope for leopard.

 

[Dirtdart]

Schmidt Bender 2.5-10x56mm Klassik LM L3 Riflescope 642-811-462-03-03A02

FREE SHIPPING on Schmidt Bender 2.5-10x56mm Klassik LM L3 Riflescope 642-811-462-03-03A02

www.eurooptic.com

Looking hard at this one

Something to consider is that the S&B Klassic line is a little shy on eye relief.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Something to consider is that the S&B Klassic line is a little shy on eye relief.

I noticed that. That was one of the only downsides about that scope.

 

[Backyardsniper]

I like where your head is. In my opinion, Swarovski’s Z6i 1.7-10x42 with the 4A reticle is the perfect scope for leopard.

That thing is about the perfect scope for anything honestly. I have had one of those on my radar for a while